The Oregon Administrative Rules contain OARs filed through November 15, 2015

 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONTENT OR MEANING OF THIS AGENCY'S RULES?
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS RULES COORDINATOR CONTACT INFORMATION

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

 
DIVISION 250
GENERAL CONFORMITY

340-250-0010
Purpose
(1) The purpose of these rules is to implement Section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act (Act), (Public Law 88-206 as last amended by Public Law 101-549) and regulations under 40 CFR Part 51 subpart W (July 1, 1994), with respect to the conformity of general federal actions to the applicable implementation plan. Under those authorities no department, agency or instrumentality of the federal Government shall engage in, support in any way or provide financial assistance for, license or permit, or approve any activity which does not conform to an applicable implementation plan. These rules set forth policy, criteria, and procedures for demonstrating and assuring conformity of such actions to the applicable implementation plan.
(2) Under Section 176(c) of the Act and 40 CFR Part 51 subpart W (July 1, 1994), a federal agency must make a determination that a federal action conforms to the applicable SIP in accordance with this division before the action is taken.
(3) Section (2) of this rule does not include federal actions where either:
(a) A National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis was completed as evidenced by a final environmental assessment (EA), environmental impact statement (EIS), or finding of no significant impact (FONSI) that was prepared prior to January 31, 1994; or
(b) the following has been completed:
(A) Prior to January 31, 1994, an EA was commenced or a contract was awarded to develop the specific environmental analysis;
(B) Sufficient environmental analysis is completed by March 15, 1994 so that the federal agency may determine that the federal action is in conformity with the specific requirements and the purposes of the applicable SIP pursuant to the agency's affirmative obligation under Section 176(c) of the Act; and
(C) A written determination of conformity under Section 176(c) of the Act has been made by the federal agency responsible for the federal action by March 15, 1994.
(4) Notwithstanding any provision of this division, a determination that an action is in conformance with the applicable implementation plan does not exempt the action from any other requirements of the applicable implementation plan, the NEPA, or the Act.
[NOTE: This rule is included in the State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan as Adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission under OAR 340-200-0040.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & ORS 468A.035

Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.035

Hist.: DEQ 9-1995, f. & cert. ef. 5-1-95; DEQ 17-1998, f. & cert. ef. 9-23-98; DEQ 14-1999, f. & cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from 340-020-1500
340-250-0020
Applicability
(1) Conformity determinations for federal actions in a nonattainment area or maintenance area related to transportation plans, programs, and projects developed, funded, or approved under title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Laws (49 U.S.C. Chapter 53 ) must meet the procedures and criteria for transportation conformity as set forth in OAR 340 division 252, in lieu of the procedures set forth in this division.
(2) For federal actions in a nonattainment area or maintenance area not covered by section (1) of this rule, a conformity determination is required for each pollutant where the total of direct and indirect emissions caused by a federal action would equal or exceed any of the rates in sections (3)(a) and (b) of this rule.
(3) The following emission rates apply to federal actions pursuant to section (2) of this rule:
(a) For nonattainment areas: Pollutant -- Tons per year:
(A) Ozone (VOCs or NOx):
(i) Serious NAAs -- 50;
(ii) Severe NAAs -- 25;
(iii) Extreme NAAs -- 10;
(iv) Other ozone NAAs (Outside an ozone transport region) -- 100;
(v) Marginal & moderate NAAs (Inside an ozone transport region):
(I) VOC -- 50;
(II) NOx -- 100.
(B) Carbon Monoxide: All NAAs -- 100;
(C) SO2 or NO2: All NAAs -- 100;
(D) PM10:
(i) Moderate NAAs -- 100;
(ii) Serious NAAs -- 70;
(iii) Pb: All NAAs -- 25.
(b) For maintenance areas: Pollutant -- Tons per Year:
(A) Ozone (NOx), SO2 or NO2: All maintenance areas -- 100;
(B) Ozone (VOCs): Maintenance areas:
(i) Inside ozone transport region -- 50;
(ii) Outside ozone transport region -- 100.
(C) Carbon Monoxide: All maintenance areas -- 100;
(D) PM10: All maintenance areas -- 100;
(E) Pb: All maintenance areas -- 25.
(4) The requirements of this division shall not apply to:
(a) Actions where the total of direct and indirect emissions are below the emissions levels specified in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) The following actions which would result in no emissions increase or an increase in emissions that is clearly de minimis:
(A) Judicial and legislative proceedings.
(B) Continuing and recurring activities such as permit renewals where activities conducted will be similar in scope and operation to activities currently being conducted.
(C) Rulemaking and policy development and issuance.
(D) Routine maintenance and repair activities, including repair and maintenance of administrative sites, roads, trails, and facilities.
(E) Civil and criminal enforcement activities, such as investigations, audits, inspections, examinations, prosecutions, and the training or law enforcement personnel.
(F) Administrative actions such as personnel actions, organizational changes, debt management or collection, cash management, internal agency audits, program budget proposals, and matters relating to the administration and collection of taxes, duties and fees.
(G) The routine, recurring transportation of material and personnel.
(H) Routine movement of mobile assets, such as ships and aircraft, in home port reassignments and stations (when no new support facilities or personnel are required) to perform as operational groups or for repair or overhaul.
(I) Maintenance dredging and debris disposal where no new depths are required, applicable permits are required, and disposal will be at an approved site.
(J) Actions, such as the following, with respect to existing structures, properties, facilities and lands where future activities conducted will be similar in scope and operation to activities currently being conducted at the existing structures, properties, facilities, and lands; for example, relocation of personnel, disposition of federally owned existing structures, properties, facilities and lands, rent subsidies, operation and maintenance cost subsidies, the exercise of receivership and conservatorship authority, assistance in purchasing structures, and the production of coins and currency.
(K) The granting of leases, licenses such as for exports and trade, permits and easements where activities conducted will be similar in scope and operation to activities currently being conducted.
(L) Planning, studies, and provision of technical assistance.
(M) Routine operation of facilities, mobile assets and equipment.
(N) Transfer of ownership, interests, and titles in land, facilities and real and personal properties, regardless of the form or method of the transfer.
(O) The designation of empowerment zones, enterprise communities, or viticultural areas.
(P) Actions by any of the federal banking agencies of the Federal Reserve Banks, including actions regarding charters, applications, notices, licenses, the supervision or examination of depository institutions or depository institution holding companies, access to the discount window, or the provision of financial services to banking organizations or to any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States.
(Q) Actions by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any Federal Reserve Bank to effect monetary or exchange rate policy.
(R) Actions that implement a foreign affairs function of the United States.
(S) Actions (or portions thereof) associated with transfers of land, facilities, title, and real properties through an enforceable contract or lease agreement where the delivery of the deed is required to occur promptly after a specific, reasonable condition is met, such as promptly after the land is certified as meeting the requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and where the federal agency does not retain continuing authority to control emissions associated with the lands, facilities, title, or real properties.
(T) Transfers of real property, including land, facilities, and related personal property from a federal entity to another federal entity and assignments of real property, including land, facilities, and related personal property from a federal entity to another federal entity for subsequent deeding to eligible applicants.
(U) Actions by the Department of the Treasury to effect fiscal policy and to exercise the borrowing authority of the United States.
(c) The following actions where the emissions are not reasonably foreseeable:
(A) Initial Outer Continental Shelf lease sales which are made on a broad scale and are followed by exploration and development plans on a project level.
(B) Electric power marketing activities that involve the acquisition, sale and transmission of electric energy.
(d) Actions in nonattainment areas or maintenance areas which implement a decision to conduct or carry out a conforming program such as prescribed burning actions which are consistent with a conforming land management plan.
(5) Notwithstanding the other requirements of this division, a conformity determination is not required for the following federal actions (or portion thereof):
(a) The portion of an action that includes major new or modified stationary sources that require a permit under the new source review (NSR) program (Section 173 of the Act) or the prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) program (Title I, part C of the Act).
(b) Actions in response to emergencies or natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, etc., which are commenced on the order of hours or days after the emergency or disaster and, if applicable, which meet the requirements of section (6) of this rule.
(c) Research, investigations, studies, demonstrations, or training, other than those exempted under section (4)(b) of this rule, where no environmental detriment is incurred or the particular action furthers air quality research, as determined by the state agency primarily responsible for the applicable SIP.
(d) Alteration and additions of existing structures as specifically required by new or existing applicable environmental legislation or environmental regulations (e.g. hush houses for aircraft engines and scrubbers for air emissions).
(e) Direct emissions from remedial and removal actions carried out under the CERCLA and associated regulations to the extent such emissions either comply with the substantive requirements of the PSD/NSR permitting program or are exempted from other regulation under the provisions of CERCLA and applicable regulations issued under CERCLA.
(6) Federal actions which are part of a continuing response to an emergency or disaster under section (5)(b) of this rule and which are to be taken more than 6 months after the commencement of the response to the emergency or disaster under section (5)(b) of this rule are exempt from the requirements of this division only if:
(a) The federal agency taking the actions makes a written determination that, for a specified period not to exceed an additional 6 months, it is impractical to prepare the conformity analyses which would otherwise be required and the actions cannot be delayed due to overriding concerns for public health and welfare, national security interests and foreign policy commitments; or
(b) For actions which are to be taken after those actions covered by subsection (a) of this section, the federal agency makes a new determination as provided in subsection (a) of this section.
(7) Notwithstanding other requirements of this division, actions specified by individual federal agencies that have met the criteria set forth in section (8) of this rule and the procedures set forth in section (9) of this rule are presumed to conform, except as provided in section (11) of this rule.
(8) The federal agency must meet the criteria for establishing activities that are presumed to conform by fulfilling the requirements set forth in either subsection (a) or (b) of this section:
(a) The federal agency must clearly demonstrate using methods consistent with this rule that the total of direct and indirect emissions from the type of activities which would be presumed to conform would not:
(A) Cause or contribute to any new violation of any standard in any area;
(B) Interfere with provisions in the applicable SIP for maintenance of any standard;
(C) Increase the frequency or severity of any existing violation of any standard in any area;
(D) Delay timely attainment of any standard or any required interim emission reductions or other milestones in any area including, where applicable, emission levels specified in the applicable SIP for purposes of:
(i) A demonstration of reasonable further progress;
(ii) A demonstration of attainment; or
(iii) A maintenance plan; or
(b) The federal agency must provide documentation that the total of direct and indirect emissions from such future actions would be below the emissions rates for a conformity determination that are established in section (3) of this rule, based, for example, on similar actions taken over recent years.
(9) In addition to meeting the criteria for establishing exemptions set forth in section (8) of this rule, the following procedures must also be complied with to presume that activities will conform:
(a) The federal agency must identify through publication in the Federal Register its list of proposed activities that are presumed to conform and the basis for the presumptions;
(b) The federal agency must notify the appropriate EPA Regional Office(s), state and local air quality agencies and, where applicable, the agency designated under section 174 of the Act and the MPO and provide at least 30 days for the public to comment on the list of proposed activities presumed to conform;
(c) The federal agency must document its response to all the comments received and make the comments, response, and final list of activities available to the public upon request; and
(d) The federal agency must publish the final list of such activities in the Federal Register.
(10) Notwithstanding the other requirements of this division, when the total of direct and indirect emissions of any pollutant from a federal action does not equal or exceed the rates specified in section (3) of this rule, but represents 10 percent or more of a non-attainment or maintenance area's total emissions of that pollutant, the action is defined as a regionally significant action and the requirements of 340-250-0010, and OAR 340-250-0050 through 340-250-0100 shall apply for the federal action.
(11) Where an action otherwise presumed to conform under section (7) of this rule is a regionally significant action or does not in fact meet one of the criteria in section (8)(a) of this rule, that action shall not be presumed to conform and the requirements of OAR 340-250-0020 and 340-250-0050 through 340-250-0100 shall apply for the federal action.
(12) The provisions of this division shall apply in all non-attainment/maintenance areas.
[NOTE: This rule is included in the State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan as Adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission under OAR 340-200-0040.]
[Publications: The publications referred to or incorporated by reference in this rule are available from the agency.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & ORS 468A.035

Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.035

Hist.: DEQ 9-1995, f. & cert. ef. 5-1-95; DEQ 17-1998, f. & cert. ef. 9-23-98; DEQ 14-1999, f. & cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from 340-020-1520
340-250-0030
Definitions
The definitions in OAR 340-200-0020,
340-204-0010 and this rule apply to this division. If the same term is defined in
this rule and 340-200-0020 or 340-204-0010, the definition in this rule applies
to this division.
(1) "Affected federal land
manager" means the federal agency or the federal official charged with direct responsibility
for management of an area designated as Class I under the Act that is located within
100 km of the proposed federal action.
(2) "Applicable implementation
plan" or "applicable SIP" means the portion (or portions) of the applicable SIP
or most recent revision thereof, which has been approved under Section 110 of the
Act, or promulgated under Section 110(c) of the Act (Federal implementation plan),
or promulgated under Section 301(d) of the Act which implements the relevant requirements
of the Act.
(3) "Areawide air quality
modeling analysis" means an assessment on a scale that includes the entire nonattainment
area or maintenance area which uses an air quality dispersion model to determine
the effects of emissions on air quality.
(4) "Cause or contribute
to any new violation of any standard in any area" means a federal action that:
(a) Causes a new violation
of a NAAQS at a location in a nonattainment area or maintenance area which would
otherwise not be in violation of the standard during the future period in question
if the federal action were not taken; or
(b) Contributes, in conjunction
with other reasonably foreseeable actions, to a new violation of a NAAQS at a location
in a nonattainment area or maintenance area in a manner that would increase the
frequency or severity of the new violation.
(5) "Caused by", as used
in the terms "direct emissions" and "indirect emissions," means emissions that would
not otherwise occur in the absence of the federal action.
(6) "Criteria pollutant"
means any pollutant for which there is established a NAAQS at 40 CFR part 50 (July
1, 1994).
(7) "Direct emissions" means
those emissions of a criteria pollutant or precursors of a criteria pollutant that
are caused or initiated by the federal action and occur at the same time and place
as the action.
(8) "Emergency" means a situation
where extremely quick action on the part of the Federal agencies involved is needed
and where the timing of such federal activities makes it impractical to meet the
requirements of this division, such as natural disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes,
civil disturbances such as terrorist acts, and military mobilizations.
(9) "Emissions budgets" means
those portions of the applicable SIP's projected emissions inventories that describe
levels of emissions (mobile, stationary, area, etc.) that provide for meeting reasonable
further progress milestones, attainment, or maintenance for any criteria pollutant
or precursors of a criteria pollutant.
(10) "Emissions offsets",
for purposes of OAR 340-250-0080, means emissions reductions which are quantifiable,
consistent with OAR 340 division 268 and 340-224-0090, and the applicable SIP attainment
and reasonable further progress demonstrations, surplus to reductions required by,
and credited to, other SIP provisions, enforceable at both the state and federal
levels, and permanent within the timeframe specified by the program.
(11) "Emissions that a federal
agency has a continuing program responsibility for" means emissions that are specifically
caused by an agency carrying out its authorities, and does not include emissions
that occur due to subsequent activities, unless such activities are required by
the federal agency. Where an agency, in performing its normal program responsibilities,
takes actions itself or imposes conditions that result in air pollutant emissions
by a nonfederal entity taking subsequent actions, such emissions are covered by
the meaning of a continuing program responsibility.
(12) "EPA" means the United
States Environmental Protection Agency.
(13) "Federal action" means
any activity engaged in by a department, agency, or instrumentality of the federal
government, or any activity that a department, agency or instrumentality of the
federal government supports in any way, provides financial assistance for licenses,
permits, or approves under title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Laws (49 U.S.C.
Chapter 53). Where the federal action is a permit, license, or other approval for
some aspect of a nonfederal undertaking, the relevant activity is the part, portion,
or phase of the nonfederal undertaking that requires the federal permit, license,
or approval.
(14) "Federal agency" means
a federal department, agency, or instrumentality of the federal government.
(15) "Increase the frequency
or severity of any existing violation of any standard in any area" means to cause
a nonattainment area to exceed a standard more often or to cause a violation at
a greater concentration than previously existed or would otherwise exist during
the future period in question, if the project were not implemented.
(16) "Indirect emissions"
means those emissions of a criteria pollutant or precursors of a criteria pollutant
that:
(a) Are caused by the federal
action, but may occur later in time or may be farther removed in distance from the
action itself but are still reasonably foreseeable; and
(b) The federal agency can
practicably control and will maintain control over due to a continuing program responsibility
of the federal agency.
(17) "Local air quality modeling
analysis" means an assessment of localized impacts on a scale smaller than the entire
nonattainment area or maintenance area, including, for example, congested roadway
intersections and highways or transit terminals, which uses an air quality dispersion
model to determine the effects of emissions on air quality.
(18) "Maintenance area" means
an area with a maintenance plan approved under Section 175A of the Act.
(19) "Maintenance plan" means
a revision to the applicable SIP, meeting the requirements of Section 175A of the
Act.
(20) "Metropolitan Planning
Organization" or "MPO" means that organization designated as being responsible,
together with the state, for conducting the continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive
planning process under 23 U.S.C. 134 and 49 U.S.C. 1607.
(21) "Milestone" has the
meaning given in Sections 182(g)(1) and 189(c)(1) of the Act.
(22) "National ambient air
quality standards" or "NAAQS" means those standards established pursuant to Section
109 of the Act and include standards for carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen
dioxide (NO2), ozone, particulate matter (PM10, PM 2.5), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
(23) "NEPA" means the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(24) "Nonattainment area"
means an area designated as nonattainment under Section 107 of the Act and described
in 40 CFR part 81 (July 1, 1994).
(25) "Precursors of a criteria
pollutant" means:
(a) For ozone, nitrogen oxides
(NOx), unless an area is exempted from NOx requirements under Section 182(f) of
the Act, and volatile organic compounds (VOC); and
(b) For PM10, those pollutants
described in the PM10 nonattainment area applicable SIP as significant contributors
to the PM10 levels.
(26) "Reasonably foreseeable
emissions" means projected future indirect emissions that are identified at the
time the conformity determination is made; the location of such emissions is known
and the emissions are quantifiable, as described and documented by the federal agency
based on its own information and after reviewing any information presented to the
federal agency.
(27) "Regional water or wastewater
projects" include construction, operation, and maintenance of water or wastewater
treatment facilities, and water storage reservoirs which affect a large portion
of a nonattainment area or maintenance area.
(28) "Regionally significant
action" means a federal action for which the direct emissions and indirect emissions
of any pollutant represent 10 percent or more of a nonattainment area's or maintenance
area's emissions inventory for that pollutant.
(29) "Total of direct and
indirect emissions" means the sum of direct emissions and indirect emissions increases
and decreases caused by the federal action; i.e., the "net" emissions considering
all direct emissions and indirect emissions. The portion of emissions which are
exempt or presumed to conform under OAR 340-250-0020(4), (5), (6) or (7) are not
included in the "total of direct and indirect emissions."
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & 468A.035
Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.035
Hist.: DEQ 9-1995, f. &
cert. ef. 5-1-95; DEQ 17-1998, f. & cert. ef. 9-23-98; DEQ 14-1999, f. &
cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from 340-020-1510; DEQ 10-2015, f. & cert. ef.
10-16-15
340-250-0040
Conformity Analysis
Any federal department, agency, or instrumentality of the federal government taking an action subject to OAR 340-250-0020(3) must make its own conformity determination consistent with the requirements of this division. In making its conformity determination, a federal agency must consider comments from any interested parties. Where multiple federal agencies have jurisdiction for various aspects of a project, a federal agency may choose to adopt the analysis of another federal agency or develop its own analysis in order to make its conformity determination.
[NOTE: This rule is included in the State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan as Adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission under OAR 340-200-0040.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & ORS 468A.035

Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.035

Hist.: DEQ 9-1995, f. & cert. ef. 5-1-95; DEQ 17-1998, f. & cert. ef. 9-23-98; DEQ 14-1999, f. & cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from 340-020-1530
340-250-0050
Reporting Requirements
(1) A federal agency making a conformity determination under OAR 340-250-0080 must provide to the appropriate EPA Regional Office(s), state and local air quality agencies and, where applicable, affected federal land managers, the agency designated under Section 174 of the Act and the MPO a 30 day notice which describes the proposed action and the federal agency's draft conformity determination on the action.
(2) A federal agency must notify the appropriate EPA Regional Office(s), state and local air quality agencies and, where applicable, affected land managers, the agency designated under Section 174 of the Clean Air Act and the MPO within 30 days after making a final conformity determination under OAR 340-250-0080.
[NOTE: This rule is included in the State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan as Adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission under OAR 340-200-0040.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & ORS 468A.035

Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.035

Hist.: DEQ 9-1995, f. & cert. ef. 5-1-95; DEQ 14-1999, f. & cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from 340-020-1540
340-250-0060
Public Participation
(1) Upon request by any person regarding a specific federal action, a federal agency must make available for review its draft conformity determination under OAR 340-250-0080 with supporting material which describe the analytical methods, assumptions and conclusions relied upon in making the applicability analysis and draft conformity determination.
(2) A federal agency must make public its draft conformity determination under 340-250-0080 by placing a notice by prominent advertisement in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the action and by providing 30 days for written public comment prior to taking any formal action on the draft determination. This comment period may be concurrent with any other public involvement, such as occurs in the NEPA process.
(3) A federal agency must document its response to all the comments received on its draft conformity determination under OAR 340-250-0080 and make the comments and responses available, upon request by any person regarding a specific federal action, within 30 days of the final conformity determination.
(4) A federal agency must make public its final conformity determination under 340-250-0080 for a federal action by placing notice by prominent advertisement in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the action within 30 days of the final conformity determination.
[NOTE: This rule is included in the State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan as Adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission under OAR 340-200-0040.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & ORS 468A.035

Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.035

Hist.: DEQ 9-1995, f. & cert. ef. 5-1-95; DEQ 14-1999, f. & cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from 340-020-1550
340-250-0070
Frequency of Conformity Determinations
(1) The conformity status of a federal action automatically lapses 5 years from the date a final conformity determination is reported under OAR 340-250-0050, unless the federal action has been completed or a continuous program has been commenced to implement that federal action within a reasonable time.
(2) Ongoing federal activities at a given site showing continuous progress are not new actions and do not require periodic redeterminations so long as the emissions associated with such activities are within the scope of the final conformity determination reported under OAR 340-250-0050.
(3) If, after the conformity determination is made, the federal action is changed so that there is an increase in the total of direct and indirect emissions above the levels in OAR 340-250-0020(4), a new conformity determination is required.
[NOTE: This rule is included in the State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan as Adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission under OAR 340-200-0040.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & ORS 468A.035

Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.035

Hist.: DEQ 9-1995, f. & cert. ef. 5-1-95; DEQ 14-1999, f. & cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from 340-020-1560
340-250-0080
Criteria for Determining Conformity of General Federal Actions
(1) An action required under OAR 340-250-0020 to have a conformity determination for a specific pollutant, will be determined to conform to the applicable SIP if, for each pollutant that exceeds the rates in 340-250-0020(3), or otherwise requires a conformity determination due to the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action, the action meets the requirements of section (3) of this rule, and meets any of the following requirements:
(a) For any criteria pollutant, the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action are specifically identified and accounted for in the applicable SIP's attainment or maintenance demonstration;
(b) For ozone or nitrogen dioxide, the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action are fully offset within the same nonattainment area or maintenance area through a revision to the applicable SIP or a similarly enforceable measure that effects emission reductions so that there is no net increase in emissions of that pollutant;
(c) For any criteria pollutant, except ozone and nitrogen dioxide, the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action meet the requirements:
(A) Specified in section (2) of this rule, based on areawide air quality modeling analysis and local air quality modeling analysis; or
(B) Meet the requirements of subsection (e) of this section and, for local air quality modeling analysis, the requirements of section (2) of this rule.
(d) For CO or PM10:
(A) Where the Department or local air quality agency primarily responsible for the applicable SIP determines that an areawide air quality modeling analysis is not needed, the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action meet the requirements specified in section (2) of this rule, based on local air quality modeling analysis; or
(B) Where the Department or local air quality agency primarily responsible for the applicable SIP determines that an areawide air quality modeling analysis is appropriate and that a local air quality modeling analysis is not needed, the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action meet the requirements specified in section (2) of this rule, based on areawide modeling, or meet the requirements of subsection (e) of this section.
(e) For ozone or nitrogen dioxide, and for purposes of subsections (c)(B) and (d)(B) of this section, each portion of the action or the action as a whole meets any of the following requirements:
(A) Where EPA has approved a revision to an area's attainment or maintenance demonstration after 1990 and the state makes a determination as provided in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph or where the state makes a commitment as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph:
(i) The total of direct and indirect emissions from the action, or portion thereof, is determined and documented by the state agency primarily responsible for the applicable SIP to result in a level of emissions which, together with all other emissions in the nonattainment area or maintenance area, would not exceed the emissions budgets specified in the applicable SIP;
(ii) The total of direct and indirect emissions from the action (or portion thereof) is determined and documented by the state agency primarily responsible for the applicable SIP to result in a level of emissions which, together with all other emissions in the nonattainment area or maintenance area, would not exceed the emissions budget specified in the applicable SIP and the State Governor or the Governor's designee for SIP actions makes a written commitment to EPA which includes the following:
(I) A specific schedule for adoption and submittal of a revision to the applicable SIP which would achieve the needed emission reductions prior to the time emissions from the federal action would occur;
(II) Identification of specific measures for incorporation into the applicable SIP which would result in a level of emissions which, together with all other emissions in the nonattainment area or maintenance area, would not exceed any emissions budget specified in the applicable SIP;
(III) A demonstration that all existing applicable SIP requirements are being implemented in the area for the pollutants affected by the federal action, and that local authority to implement additional requirements has been fully pursued;
(IV) A determination that the responsible federal agencies have required all reasonable mitigation measures associated with their action; and
(V) Written documentation including all air quality analyses supporting the conformity determination.
(iii) Where a federal agency made a conformity determination based on a state commitment under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph such a state commitment is automatically deemed a call for a SIP revision by EPA under Section 110(k)(5) of the Act, effective on the date of the federal conformity determination and requiring response within 18 months or any shorter time within which the state commits to revise the applicable SIP.
(B) The action, or portion thereof, as determined by the MPO, is specifically included in a current transportation plan and transportation improvement program which have been found to conform to the applicable SIP under 40 CFR part 51, subpart T (July 1,1994) or 40 CFR part 93, subpart A (July 1, 1994), and OAR 340 division 252.
(C) The action, or portion thereof, fully offsets its emissions within the same nonattainment area or maintenance area through a revision to the applicable SIP or an equally enforceable measure that effects emission reductions equal to or greater than the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action so that there is no net increase in emissions of that pollutant;
(D) Where EPA has not approved a revision to the relevant SIP attainment or maintenance demonstration since 1990, the total direct and indirect emissions from the action for the future years (described in OAR 340-250-0090(4)) do not increase emissions with respect to the baseline emissions:
(i) The baseline emissions reflect the historical activity levels that occurred in the geographic area affected by the proposed federal action during:
(I) Calendar year 1990;
(II) The calendar year that is the basis for the classification, or, where the classification is based on multiple years, the most representative year, if a classification is promulgated in 40 CFR part 81 (July 1, 1994); or
(III) The year of the baseline inventory in the PM10 applicable SIP.
(ii) The baseline emissions are the total of direct and indirect emissions calculated for the future years (described in OAR 340-250-0090(4)) using the historic activity levels (described in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph) and appropriate emission factors for the future years; or
(E) Where the action involves regional water or wastewater projects, such projects are sized to meet only the needs of population projections that are in the applicable SIP.
(2) The areawide air quality modeling analysis or local air quality modeling analysis must:
(a) Meet the requirements in OAR 340-250-0090; and
(b) Show that the action does not:
(A) Cause or contribute to any new violation of any standard in any area;
(B) Increase the frequency or severity of any existing violation of any standard in any area.
(3) Notwithstanding any other requirements of this rule, an action subject to this division may not be determined to conform to the applicable SIP unless the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action is in compliance or consistent with all relevant requirements and milestones contained in the applicable SIP, such as elements identified as part of the reasonable further progress schedules, assumptions specified in the attainment or maintenance demonstration, prohibitions, numerical emission limits, and work practice requirements, and such action is otherwise in compliance with all relevant requirements of the applicable SIP.
(4) Any analyses required under this rule must be completed, and any mitigation requirements necessary for a finding of conformity must be identified in compliance with OAR 340-250-0100, before the determination of conformity is made.
[NOTE: This rule is included in the State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan as Adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission under OAR 340-200-0040.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & ORS 468A.035

Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.035

Hist.: DEQ 9-1995, f. & cert. ef. 5-1-95; DEQ 17-1998, f. & cert. ef. 9-23-98; DEQ 14-1999, f. & cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from 340-020-1570
340-250-0090
Procedures for Conformity Determinations of General Federal Actions
(1) The analyses required under OAR 340-250-0080 and 340-250-0090 must be based on the latest planning assumptions.
(a) All planning assumptions must be derived from the estimates of current and future population, employment, travel, and congestion most recently approved by the MPO, or other agency authorized to make such estimates, where available.
(b) Any revisions to these estimates used as part of the conformity determination, including projected shifts in geographic location or level of population, employment, travel, and congestion, must be approved by the MPO or other agency authorized to make such estimates for the urban area.
(2) The analyses required under OAR 340-250-0080 and 340-250-0090 must be based on the latest and most accurate emission estimation techniques available as described below, unless such techniques are inappropriate. If such techniques are inappropriate and written approval of the EPA Regional Administrator is obtained for any modification of substitution, they may be modified or another technique substituted on a case-by-case basis or, where appropriate, on a generic basis for a specific federal agency program.
(a) For motor vehicle emissions, the most current version of the motor vehicle emissions model specified by EPA and available for use in the preparation or revision of SIPs in that state must be used for the conformity analysis as specified in subsections (A) and (B) of this section:
(A) The EPA must publish in the Federal Register a notice of availability of any new motor vehicle emissions model; and
(B) A grace period of three months shall apply during which the motor vehicle emissions model previously specified by EPA as the most current version may be used. Conformity analyses for which the analysis was begun during the grace period or no more than 3 years before the federal Register notice of availability of the latest emission model may continue to use the previous version of the model specified by EPA.
(b) For non-motor vehicle sources, including stationary and area source emissions, the latest emission factors specified by EPA in the "Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors (AP-42)" must be used for conformity analysis unless more accurate emission data are available, such as actual stack test data from stationary sources which are part of the conformity analysis.
(3) The air quality modeling analyses required under OAR 340-250-0080 and 340-250-0090 must be based on the applicable air quality models, data bases, and other requirements specified in the most recent version of the "Guideline on Air Quality Models (Revised)"(1986), including supplements (EPA publication no. 450/2-78-027R), unless:
(a) The guideline techniques are inappropriate, in which case the model may be modified or another model substituted on a case-by-case basis or, where appropriate, on a generic basis for a specific federal agency program; and
(b) Written approval of the EPA Regional Administrator is obtained for any modification or substitution.
(4) The analyses required under OAR 340-250-0080 and 340-250-0090 must be based on the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action and must reflect emission scenarios that are expected to occur under each of the following cases:
(a) The Act mandated attainment year or, if applicable, the farthest year for which emissions are projected in the maintenance plan;
(b) The year during which the total of direct and indirect emissions from the action for each pollutant is expected to be the greatest on an annual basis; and
(c) Any year for which the applicable SIP specifies an emissions budget.
[NOTE: This rule is included in the State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan as Adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission under OAR 340-200-0040.]
[Publications: The publications referred to or incorporated by reference in this rule are available from the agency.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & ORS 468A.035

Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.035

Hist.: DEQ 9-1995, f. & cert. ef. 5-1-95; DEQ 17-1998, f. & cert. ef. 9-23-98; DEQ 14-1999, f. & cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from 340-020-1580
340-250-0100
Mitigation of Air Quality Impacts
(1) Any measures that are intended to mitigate air quality impacts must be identified and the process for implementation and enforcement of such measures must be described, including an implementation schedule containing explicit timelines for implementation.
(2) Prior to determining that a federal action is in conformity, the federal agency making the conformity determination must obtain written commitments from the appropriate persons or agencies to implement any mitigation measures which are identified as conditions for making conformity determinations. Such written comments shall describe the mitigation measures and the nature of the commitments in a manner consistent with section (1) of this rule.
(3) Persons or agencies voluntarily committing to mitigation measures to facilitate positive conformity determinations must comply with the obligations of such commitments.
(4) In instances where the federal agency is licensing, permitting or otherwise approving the action of another governmental or private entity, approval by the federal agency must be conditioned on the other entity meeting the mitigation measures set forth in the conformity determination, as provided in section (1) of this rule.
(5) When necessary because of changed circumstances, mitigation measures may be modified so long as the new mitigation measures continue to support the conformity determination. Any proposed change in the mitigation measures is subject to the reporting requirements of OAR 340-250-0050 and the public participation requirements of 340-250-0060.
(6) Written commitments to mitigation measures must be obtained prior to a positive conformity determination and all such commitments must be fulfilled.
(7) After the Department revises its SIP to adopt its general conformity rules and EPA approves that SIP revision, any agreements, necessary for a conformity determination will be both state and federally enforceable. Enforceability through the applicable SIP will apply to all persons who agree to mitigate direct emissions and indirect emissions associated with a federal action for a conformity determination.
[NOTE: This rule is included in the State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan as Adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission under OAR 340-200-0040.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & ORS 468A.035

Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.035

Hist.: DEQ 9-1995, f. & cert. ef. 5-1-95; DEQ 17-1998, f. & cert. ef. 9-23-98; DEQ 14-1999, f. & cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from 340-020-1590
340-250-0110
Savings Provision
The federal conformity rules under 40 CFR Part 51, Subpart W (July 1, 1994), in addition to any existing applicable state requirements, establish the conformity criteria and procedures necessary to meet the requirements of CAA Section 176(c) until such time as this division are approved by EPA. Following EPA approval of these rules, the state criteria and procedures in this division would govern conformity determinations. In addition, any previously applicable SIP requirements relating to conformity remain enforceable until the state revises its applicable implementation plan to specifically remove them, and that revision is approved by EPA.
[NOTE: This rule is included in the State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan as Adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission under OAR 340-200-0040.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & ORS 468A.035

Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.035

Hist.: DEQ 9-1995, f. & cert. ef. 5-1-95; DEQ 14-1999, f. & cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from 340-020-1600

The official copy of an Oregon Administrative Rule is
contained in the Administrative Order filed at the Archives Division,
800 Summer St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97310. Any discrepancies with the
published version are satisfied in favor of the Administrative Order.
The Oregon Administrative Rules and the Oregon Bulletin are
copyrighted by the Oregon Secretary of State. Terms
and Conditions of Use